Houston Astros RPs Luke Gregerson, Chad Qualls and Pat Neshek will all be competing for the closer’s job in spring training. Between all three relievers, they have only 95 career saves, with Qualls having 70 of them in 25 combined seasons.

Free-agent RP Joe Thatcher (Angels) is engaged in talks with at least 10 teams and is likely to sign soon, according to a source. The New York Mets, Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers are all interested.

Houston Astros RP Pat Neshek will make $5.5 million in 2015 and $6.5 million in 2016. A $6.5 million option exists for the 2017 season with a $500,000 buyout, although this can increase to $7.5 million or $8.5 million based on games finished.

Houston Astros RP Luke Gregerson is expected to serve as the team’s closer next season. Gregerson can make $21 million from his contract if he is the team’s closer, according to a baseball source. RP Chad Qualls, who saved 19 games for the team last year, will likely move to a setup role.

Houston Astros RP Chad Qualls will remain with the team for the remainder of the season. The Detroit Tigers placed a waiver claim for Qualls earlier this week, but the teams were unable to work out a trade before the deadline passed Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Houston Astros RP Chad Qualls has been claimed on waivers, according to a source. It’s unknown if the Astros are willing to trade him, though. Houston must either trade him or pull him back by Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Houston Astros RP Chad Qualls (back) said his back injury is not serious and does not expect to be placed on the 15-day disabled list. He said he had a similar injury earlier this season and it was no big deal. He does not think he will be available to pitch Thursday, Aug. 21.

Houston Astros RPs Matt Albers (shoulder) and Jesse Crain (biceps) continue to make progress, and general manager Jeff Luhnow is hopeful each will be able to pitch in a game this season. Albers has progressed to throwing in the bullpen, while Crain is still throwing off flat ground.

Updating a previous item, Houston Astros RP Josh Zeid (feet) will have surgery on both of his feet six weeks apart, which will bring his season to an end. The procedure is called a sesamoidectomy, and it’s scheduled to take place on his left foot Wednesday, July 30. The recovery period ideally will be three months. Zeid will be on crutches for a while.

The Washington Nationals have inquired about the Houston Astros’ relief pitchers as the trade deadline nears, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Astros have scouting both Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend. RP Tony Sipp best fits the team’s preferences, and he isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season.

Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Wednesday, May 21, that he is confident RP Jesse Crain (shoulder) will be able to pitch this season. He has been rehabbing his right shoulder back in Florida after spending the last homestand in Houston.

Houston Astros RP Matt Albers (shoulder) said he could miss the next three or four weeks with tendonitis in his right shoulder. He received a cortisone injection Tuesday, May 13, and will head to Florida next week to continue his rehab. There is no structural damage to his shoulder, though.

The Houston Astros placed RP Anthony Bass (intercostal) on the 15-day disabled list with a right intercostal strain Wednesday, May 14, and recalled RP Josh Fields from Triple-A Oklahoma in a corresponding move. Bass’ DL stint is backdated to May 11.

Updating a previous report, Houston Astros RP Matt Albers (shoulder) said Monday, May 12, that he is still several days from even throwing again, having his simulated game scrapped Friday, May 5, due to discomfort during warmups. ‘I feel OK, it’s just when I’m playing catch, it feels good,’ Albers said. ‘When you let it go, not as great. Kind of shut down the sim game, didn’t want to push it and make things worse.’

Houston Astros RP Jose Cisnero (elbow) is returning to Houston to be examined by doctors after feeling pain in his elbow after his outing Tuesday, May 6, when he allowed two runs in an inning. It’s unknown if Cisnero will need a trip to the disabled list.

The Houston Astros are targeting May 29 for when they’d like to have RP Jesse Crain (shoulder) come off the 60-day disabled list, either with the team or in the minors. Crain is dealing mostly with bursitis in his right shoulder now, according to general manager Jeff Luhnow. Crain is only throwing off flat ground right now but is scheduled to jump on a mound in the next few weeks.

The Houston Astros placed RP Matt Albers (shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendonitis Friday, April 25, and recalled RP Jose Cisnero from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Houston Astros RP Matt Albers (shoulder) is not available to pitch Thursday, April 24, because of soreness in his throwing shoulder. Manager Bo Porter indicated Albers could go on the 15-day disabled list if he continues to miss games.

Houston Astros RP Jesse Crain (biceps) said he felt some soreness in his first bullpen session last week, but he said he could still return in early May, even though he’s yet to throw off a mound again.

Updating a previous report, Houston Astros RPs Matt Albers, Chad Qualls and Joshua Fields will form the team’s closer-by-committee, at least to start the year. In the team’s opening day win over the New York Yankees Tuesday, April 1, RP Kevin Chapman stranded three inherited runners in the seventh before RP Chad Qualls induced a double-play groundball after the Yanks scored twice in the eighth. Albers worked a scoreless ninth in a non-save situation. ‘Tonight Qualls and Albers were able to get the job done,’ manager Bo Porter said. Porter said his choices in the late innings will depend on game circumstances and matchups.